Child-Resistant Bag with Interlocking Seal and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a child-resistant bag with an interlocking seal, wherein the seal is comprised of corresponding pods with interlocking hooks. The pods and interlocking hooks are attached and configured in manner that requires specific manipulation of the seal to open, which provides a child-resistant seal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.29/772,729, entitled Reusable Interlocking Seal (filed Mar. 3, 2021).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter is in the field of child-resistant bags andinterlocking seals.

Background of the Invention

With the increased sale and use of cannabis related products, there isan increased need for child-resistant packaging, bags, containers, andstorage units for such products. As medicinal and recreational use ofcannabis and cannabis related products increases, there are morerequirements that these cannabis products be stored in child-resistantcontainers and packaging. For example, the state of California requiresthat all cannabis flower, pre-rolls, and cannabis products sold withinCalifornia be in child-resistant packaging. The increase in demand ofcannabis related products results in an increased demand forchild-resistant packaging and bags. Accordingly, the bags and otherpackaging containing cannabis substances should be sealed with achild-resistant seal. One efficient method of providing child-resistantpackaging is to secure the packaging with a child-resistant interlockingseal.

Accordingly, a need exits for child-resistant packaging, namely, bags,that can be secured with a child-resistant interlocking seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclosea bag that is child-resistant.

It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistantinterlocking seal.

It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistantinterlocking seal that is reusable.

It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistantinterlocking seal that creates an air-tight and food safe environment.

Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilledin the art once the invention has been shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristicscan be obtained is explained in the following description and attachedfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a bag with a child-resistantinterlocking seal;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the child-resistant interlocking sealof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking sealof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking sealof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a bag with a child-resistantinterlocking seal of FIG. 1 with a user opening the seal;

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a bag with a child-resistantinterlocking seal of FIG. 1 with the seal disengaged;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag with achild-resistant interlocking seal;

FIG. 8 is a back view of an alternative embodiment of a bag with thechild-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistantinterlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistantinterlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of thechild-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of thechild-resistant interlocking seal;

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by thosereasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are notnecessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed are several embodiments of a child-resistant interlockingseal.

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of thechild-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 1, the bag 1features a first interlocking member 10 and a second interlocking member20. Still referring to FIG. 1, the first interlocking member features afirst interlocking pod 11 and a sheath 12, with an upper sheath 12 a anda lower sheath 12 b. The first interlocking pod 11 is comprised of ahookless node 13 at the base of the first interlocking pod 11 and atleast one hooked tooth 14 above the base and hookless node 13. The firstinterlocking pod 11 is attached to the sheath 12 at the base of theinterlocking pad 11, wherein the remainder of the interlocking pod 11above the base is not attached to the sheath 12. In a preferredembodiment, the sheath 12 as attached to the interior lining of the bag1 at a bag attachment point 2 along the upper sheath 12 a above thefirst interlocking pod 11 and along the lower sheath 12 b below theinterlocking pod 11 at a bag attachment point 3. In a preferredembodiment, the hookless node 13 is joined with a hooked tooth 14 in acurved manner to create a cavity and then each subsequent hooked tooth14 is joined with another hooked tooth 14 in a curved manner to formsubsequent cavities. In a preferred embodiment, the first interlockingpod 10 features a hookless node and three hooked teeth 14, which formthree cavities.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the second interlocking member 20 features asecond interlocking pod 21 and a second sheath 22. The secondinterlocking pod 21 is comprised of a hookless node 23 at the base ofthe second interlocking pod 21 and at least one hooked tooth 24 belowthe hookless node 23. The second interlocking pod 21 is attached to thesheath 22 at the base of the second interlocking pod, wherein theremainder of the second interlocking pod 21 is below the base that isattached to the sheath 22. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath 22 onlyextends upwards from the base of the second interlocking pod 21 and doesnot extend downward from the base of the second interlocking pod 21. Ina preferred embodiment, the sheath 22 is attached to the interior liningof the bag 1 above the second interlocking pod 21 at bag attachmentpoint 4. In a preferred embodiment, the hookless node 23 is joined witha hooked tooth 24 in a curved manner to create a cavity and then eachsubsequent hooked tooth 24 is joined with another hooked tooth 24 in acurved manner to form subsequent cavities. In a preferred embodiment,the first interlocking pod 20 features a hookless node and three hookedteeth 24, which form three cavities. The first interlocking member 10and second interlocking member 20 are attached to the interior of thebag across from each other in a manner wherein the interlocking podsalign and allow for the hooked teeth to interact with each other.

FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in cross-section view of the embodiment of thechild-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, tounlock the seal, pressure is applied downward on the interlocking sealon the outsides of the interlocking members, preferably with thumbs, andthen the upper sheaths and lips of the bag are simultaneously pulledapart. When this action is applied, the hookless node 23 is designed torotate up and outward (as demonstrated by the arrow) from theinterlocked hooked tooth 14, thereby allowing the interlocked hookedtooth 14 space to also rotate up and outward (as demonstrated by thearrow) from the cavity and unlocking it from a corresponding hookedtooth 24 from the second interlocking pod 20. Each corresponding hookedtooth rotates up and outward, thereby releasing each locked portionuntil the hookless node 13 is pulled away from the last hooked tooth 24,whereby the seal is completely unlocked and the compartment of the bagis open and accessible. To lock and reuse the seal, the user aligns thefirst and second interlocking pods 11, 21 and presses them firmlytogether along the length of the seal.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bag with the child-resistant interlockingseal. FIG. 4 is a back view of a bag with the child-resistantinterlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, thereare two attachment points, wherein the first sheath is attached to theinterior of the bag, one above the first interlocking pod and one belowthe first interlocking pod. Referring to FIG. 4, in a preferredembodiment, there is one attachment point, wherein the second sheath isattached to the interior of the bag across from the first sheath at apoint above the second interlocking pod.

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of one embodiment of the child-resistantinterlocking seal with a user opening the seal. FIG. 6 is anenvironmental view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlockingseal disengaged by a user. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a user may openand unseal a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seat by: (i)pulling the lips and upper sheaths at the top of the bag apart; (ii)locating the seal; (iii) pushing fingers down on each interlockingmembrane; and (iv) pulling the lips and sheaths apart as the fingers arepushing down in each side of the interlocking membranes. In a preferredembodiment, the fingers the user uses to push down on each side of theseal are the thumbs.

FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of an alternative embodiment ofa child-resistant interlocking seal. FIG. 8 is a back view of oneembodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIGS.7 and 8, the child-resistant interlocking seal is intended for use witha bag, wherein the seal is located near the top of the bag.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistantinterlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of afirst interlocking pod 30 may feature a barbless node 31 at the base ofthe first interlocking pod 30 and at least one barbed tooth 32, whereinthe barb is an arrow-shaped, above the base and barbless node 31. Stillreferring to FIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment of the secondinterlocking pod 40, the second interlocking pod 40 may be comprised ofa half-barbed node 41 at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 andat least one barbed tooth 42, wherein the barb is arrow-shaped, belowthe half-barbed tooth, wherein the half-barb is a half shaped arrow, atthe base of the second interlocking pod 40 and a lowermost half-barbednode 41. In an alternative embodiment, the barbed teeth 32 and barblessnode 31 interact with and interlock with the barbed teeth 42 andhalf-barbed nodes 41 to form a seal.

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistantinterlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of afirst interlocking pod 30 may feature a barbless node 31 at the base ofthe first interlocking pod 30 and at least one barbed tooth 32, whereinthe barb is an arrow-shaped, below the base and barbless node 31. Stillreferring to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment of the secondinterlocking pod 40, the second interlocking pod 40 may be comprised ofa half-barbed node 41 at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 andat least one barbed tooth 42, wherein the barb is arrow-shaped, abovethe half-barbed tooth, wherein the half-barb is a half shaped arrow, atthe base of the second interlocking pod 40 and an uppermost half-barbednode 41. In an alternative embodiment, the barbed teeth 32 and barblessnode 31 interact with and interlock with the barbed teeth 42 andhalf-barbed nodes 41 to form a seal. The arrow-shaped design of thebarbed teeth allows the teeth to slide against each other when pressureis applied from the outside to interlock and form a seal. Thearrow-shaped barbs may be disengaged when the user applies downwardpressure and then pulls them apart, allowing the barbs to rotate outwardand disengage.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of thechild-resistant interlocking seal. FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective viewof one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but insteadmight be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more ofthe other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether ornot such embodiments are described and whether or not such features arepresented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadthand scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or thelike, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that mightbe available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases might be absent.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporatedby reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

We claim:
 1. An a child-resistant bag comprising: a first interlockingmember with a first sheath and a first interlocking pod; wherein, thefirst interlocking pod is further comprised of a hookless node at thebase of the first interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth abovethe base and hookless node; wherein, the first interlocking pod isattached to the sheath at the base of the interlocking pad, wherein theremainder of the interlocking pod above the base; a second interlockingmember with a second sheath and a second interlocking pod; wherein,second interlocking pod is comprised of a hookless node at the base ofthe second interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth below thehookless node, wherein, the second interlocking pod is attached to thesecond sheath at the base of the second interlocking pod, wherein theremainder of the second interlocking pod is below the base that isattached to the second sheath; wherein, the first and secondinterlocking members are disposed across from each other; wherein, thefirst and second interlocking pods are aligned to interlock with whichother when sealed.
 2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first interlockingmember is attached to the interior of the front of a bag along the firstsheath above and below the first interlocking pod.
 3. The bag of claim1, wherein the second interlocking member is attached to the interior ofthe back of a bag along the second sheath above the second interlockingpod.
 4. A method opening a child-resistant bag comprising the steps of:obtaining a bag with lips at the top opening of the bag and comprising afirst interlocking member with a first sheath and a first interlockingpod; wherein, the first interlocking pod is further comprised of ahookless node at the base of the first interlocking pod and at least onehooked tooth above the base and hookless node; wherein, the firstinterlocking pod is attached to the sheath at the base of theinterlocking pad, wherein the remainder of the interlocking pod abovethe base; a second interlocking member with a second sheath and a secondinterlocking pod; wherein, second interlocking pod is comprised of ahookless node at the base of the second interlocking pod and at leastone hooked tooth below the hookless node, wherein, the secondinterlocking pod is attached to the second sheath at the base of thesecond interlocking pod, wherein the remainder of the secondinterlocking pod is below the base that is attached to the secondsheath; wherein, the first and second interlocking members are disposedacross from each other; wherein, the first and second interlocking podsare aligned to interlock with which other when sealed; pulling the lipsand upper sheaths at the top of the bag apart; locating the seal;pushing fingers down on each interlocking membrane; and pulling the lipsand sheaths apart as the fingers are pushing down in each side of theinterlocking membranes.